"Had it not been for Lord Sun Jian," stated Lu Meng, "I most likely would be lying dead at Luo Yang by Lu Bu's hand."
Galthmeir listened intently on this now fourth general to state that Sun Jian was every bit the good man as many had said before. In the beginning Galthmeirs attitude changed little when the first person that Sun Shang Xiang led him to was the Wu general Lu Xun. He was more content to speak more to the common folk. Those that were not warriors but farmers with families, whose role in the nation was little more than providing sustenance for a hungry army and the only battles they would see is using the rake rather than the sword. Sun Shang Xiang didn't disappoint as she led him to a nearby homestead not too far from Jian Ye. Indeed the small family reminded him of his own…before they were killed.
For nearly 3 days he had interviewed the various people that were friends and allies of Lord Sun Jian, and despite himself the knight was beginning to see it clearly: These people looked to their lord from protection. He cared deeply for his people, which left the knight thunderstruck. A man he thought was a cold murderer was in fact doing what he thought was best for his kingdom. It was understandable. His own king sent him on this quest for that same reason.
In those 3 days however his attention was more on his beautiful guide. For the first time he couldn't help but awe at her radiance. The dark jewels of her eyes seemed to draw him in like twin obsidian diamonds. It was presumptuous to even think she would allow herself to marry an outlander like himself. Even though his resentment most of the people of Wu…he at least could spare his courage for her if only to save her from Wei's judgement. If this war with Wei went south, he could at least spirit her away to safety, perhaps somewhere outside Rome or even Ira if he could get that far. At least she would be safe.
"Satisfied?" Sun Shang Xiang replied. Galthmeir was to engross in his own thoughts, as he started at her voice. Saluting Lu Meng, the knight turned heal and strode away, the young girl following behind him.
"You didn't answer me," she replied, "are you satisfied."
"Are you through impressing yourself?" he shot back with a smirk. Xiang giggled as she began walking backwards, following his stride.
"I don't impress when I know I'm right," she replied.
"Indeed," said the knight, "the only thing that impressed me was that farmers family."
She stopped at that and stared at him in disbelief.
"You take the word of a peasant over that of one of Wu's elite generals?" she asked flabbergasted at his remark.
"Quite so," Galthmeir replied, "it is not the warrior or swordsman that impresses me. It is the commoner whose only loss will be his life. I'm used to losing…therefore I know what is at stake with that man. To you it maybe he will lose his crop for the year. To him however it is a year that his family will go hungry, more than likely starve as a result. What is not much to you…is the world to him." Sun Shang Xiang thus looked away, her face covered in guilt. Galthmeir, though young, had a way with words that made even Cao Cao look like a mediocre negotiator. People were drawn to him for that…one of the reasons why she was drawn to him to.
"I…I never thought of it that way," she replied sadly. For once in his life Galthmeir regretted his prophetic words. Putting a hand underneath her downcast chin, he rose her face to meet his.
"It's the small things we forget that end up being the most important," said the knight, "believe me I know."
"How?" she asked. She could see pain and loss etched into his hazel eyes.
"You don't know what you have until have lost it," his response was, "come now…I have made a decision."
Sun Jian overlooked the possible siege of Xu Chang. It wasn't going to be easy. Well defended and reinforced along the out walls any troops would be hard pressed to penetrate the inner wall. Once inside they would be victims of some plot Sima Yi no doubt would have up his sleeve. He was as every bit an accomplished strategist as Zhuge Liang was.
"We should focus on the outer gates instead of the center one," he prompted, "like it or not Lu Xun there will be no easy way into the castle."
"Reminds me of Hu Loa," Lu Meng replied, "heavily fortified and heaven knows what's inside."
"Reports say that Sima Yi had a large shipment of bombardier powder brought from Luo Yang," Lu Xun said, "I've a bad feeling what will happen if troops make it inside."
"There are no signs of rain anytime soon either," Sun Jian said, "it looks like we will have to deal with whatever may lie in wait."
"We still have the ramp that we got from what's left of Shu," Gan Ning prompted, "we could use that to storm the upper battlements."
"Which are defended by an entire contingent of Xiahou Yuans best archers," Lu Xun objected.
"Battle is not without loss," said a voice behind them. All four turned to see Galthmeir clad in his armor with Sun Shang Xiang next to him.
"I try to avoid as many casualties as possible," said Sun Jian. The knight strode forward and observed the map.
"Expect and tactical strike from behind," he said, "note that if you stick with this formation you will be leaving your entire left flank open to a counter attack. Sima Yi will expect this."
"You know of this…how?" Lu Xun asked. Galthmeir remained silent as his eye fell upon the southern gate then the center gate."
"Focus more on the central defense rather than the two gates," Galthmeir replied.
"The center gate is being guarded by archers," said Gan Ning. Galthmeir nodded in agreement.
"Of course yet they think an attack on the southern and northern gates is imminent because of that," Galthmeir replied, "that is where me and my troop will come in. I've sent word to Huang Zhong to meet me near Xu Chang. He will assist us."
"Huang Zhong," Lu Meng echoed, "we sent Shu back in defeat…why would they help us?"
"My people have a saying," Galthmeir replied, "the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Huang Zhong and even Zhuge Liang will no doubt see that a strategic strike against Wei is necessary."
"So that means you will help us," Sun Jian replied. Galthmeir sighed tiredly as Sun Shang Xiang watched him in anticipation.
"Yes Wu King," Galthmeir replied, "my bow stands ready for your call."
The midnight sky shone down upon the battlements like a euphoric mirror as Xian Qwin made his rounds. Word was that Wu was planning to strike the castle. Xu Chang was well defended and he laughed at the idea of Wu's ground forces even making 100 feet of the center defenses. Staring over the battlements he thought he saw a strange after image that later vanished into the evening fog. It was strange mist that had drifted in from the mountains. He didn't even notice the first archer until he observed an arrow sticking out of his chest. At sight of this the sky began to rain with arrows that seemed to merge from the stars themselves. The alarm rose immediately. Xu Chang was under attack.
"Finally got a chance to test these new bows out," Huang Zhong replied firing another arrow into the mist, "never got to at Yi Ling."
"Wei Yan is awaiting orders near the southern gates," Zhou Tai said, "says he's getting tired of hiding."
"He has a warriors spirit that one," Galthmeir replied, "reminds me a lot of Lancelot except not as good looking. Tell him to hold until daybreak, make a push for the southern gate for one hour only, then withdraw."
"We'll look like cowards," Zhou Tai replied. Galthmeir gave him an appraising glance then shook his head.
"If you want this siege to work you must think of strategy not whole scale slaughter," the knight returned, "when Wei Yan falls back order him to make for all possible speed to the center along with our northern contingent that should attack the same time Wei Yan does then concentrate all attack power to the center gate."
"Ah I see now," Zhou Tai replied, "this will prompt the Wei forces to gather reinforcements at the northern and southern gates leaving the middle open."
"They're firing back but we're to out of range for them," Huang Zhong yelled.
"As I expected," Galthmeir said.
"Those bows are something," Zhou Tai replied in awe. Galthmeir shook his head.
"That they are but they are still without risk," said the knight, "they are large, bulky and leave archery units prone to attack. That is where you come in Zhou Tai."
"Right," said he, "I'll guard your flanks."
"We'll have to do this right if we want it to work," said the knight, "we're committed now, there is no turning back."
"My sediments exactly," said Sun Shang Xiang. Galthmeir turned to her and sighed in indignation.
"I don't mean to be rude Lady Sun," Galthmeir replied, "but please remain at base camp for your own protection."
"I will most certainly not," she scolded, "I don't sit back and watch."
"LOOK OUT!!!" Zhou Tai said in alarm as an arrow emerged from the fog and was heading straight toward her. With no time to react she covered her face only to see a hand catch the deadly object mere inches from her face. She didn't need to be reminded of whom caught it as Galthmeir snapped it in half and stood closer to her.
"You'll get hurt here," said the knight, "I…I don't know if I could live with myself if any harm befell you."
"That makes both of us," said she. Both stood watching each other in a stunned moment of hesitation at revealing what one cared for the other. In those four weeks that she had been his guide through Jian Ye Sun Shang Xiang had grown not to just find him attractive…she honestly cared for him. His voice, and soothing presence gave her a sense that there was nothing she couldn't do. For good or ill…Galthmeir was the center of her world now.
Galthmeir in returned began to contemplate his life without her would be even more dismal than before during his quest for the Grail. He found himself worrying of her, thinking of her day and night sometimes void of sleep because of it. In that light he knew the truth even though it hit worse than a sword: he was falling for her. And though it pained him to know that this quest he was on meant most certainly death he couldn't stave the fact that she…was the center of his universe to. He also knew that it would be useless to talk her into returning to the main camp. Boldly clasping her face in his hands and drawing nearer, he pursed his lips and nodded.
"Al right," he said, "but do me a favor and don't do anything rash. We're trying to storm the keep not crush it."
"Yes General," she said with a laugh.
"Oh you're going to pay for that later," Galthmeir said with a giggle.